Business Development Director (Aerospace & Defence) - EMEA

Be You - Our people create our best Plexus.

Ingrained in our culture of inclusion is the philosophy that each individual offers diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that create great outcomes when we are united as a team.

We embrace the differences of all our colleagues, celebrate diversity and welcome applications from underrepresented groups and candidates, regardless of their background. We are proud to be registered as the Disability Confident committed employer, and we recruit purely on the basis of skills and experience. 

Who we are and what we do? 

We help our customers deliver products to the world which have a profound impact on people’s lives. 
From ultrasound units and 3D printing to network security applications and in-flight Wi-Fi, we help create products that build a better world.
We’re a global team of experts who partner with our customers to bring their products to life through inspired innovation and world-class customer service.

Whether you’re looking to start, change, or advance your career find your path at Plexus and leave your mark on the world with us.

The Business Development Director will be responsible for the identification and conversion of revenue opportunities that directly support Plexus's ambitious growth objectives. This individual will architect and execute strategic business development plans targeting key accounts within the European Defense sector, consistently achieving established revenue targets through the application of sophisticated strategic selling methodologies. A core focus will be on cultivating a portfolio of assigned target accounts that align with Plexus's ideal customer profile, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to maximize impact.

Key Responsibilities:

Engage and support with Plexus cross-functional teams to increase ability to win business. Advocate for capability requirements necessary to meet the evolving needs of customers.

Find customers by identifying and validating profitable business opportunities that fit the Plexus strategy and “Customer of Choice” criteria. Prospect, cold call onto select targets to help qualify account. Maintain a working knowledge of current and potential customers in the assigned sector, including products, markets, key people, funding, revenue, competition, and future manufacturing strategy. Work with the market sector team to identify risks and opportunities for Plexus in order to prioritize and inform market development efforts.

Build and develop multi-level relationships with external customers and within Plexus. Partner with other key Plexus functions (e.g. manufacturing and engineering) to further customer relationships and to become familiar with Plexus' end-to-end value stream.

Develop market sector knowledge to inform Plexus business development efforts and establish credibility with target-customers. Stay current with market sector trends, industry, and environment. Be familiar with business models, trends, competition, markets and needs. Leverage market sector knowledge and research to work with key Plexus account leaders, including the Business Development Director and/or Customer Director, support and execute the overall sector marketing strategy.

Collaborate on target-customer account strategies to win business and create mutual benefit for Plexus. Engage with a cross-functional team to translate customer needs into solutions which Plexus can deliver across our entire Product Realization Value Chain. Ensure solutions meet or exceed the target-customer needs and contribute to Plexus achieving its goals.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred) in a relevant discipline, coupled with progressive experience in a business development or sales leadership role within the European Defense sector.

A well-established professional network and a demonstrable track record of success in securing significant revenue within the European Defense industry.

Proven expertise in applying strategic selling principles and methodologies to achieve business development targets.

Exceptional executive-level communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and build credibility with diverse stakeholders.

Robust analytical skills with the capacity to interpret market trends, competitive dynamics, and customer intelligence to inform strategic decision-making.

formulate and present effective recommendations.

Strong self-management skills with a proven ability to independently drive assignments to completion with minimal oversight.

Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and navigate complex organizational landscapes effectively.

A collaborative mindset with the capacity to operate effectively within cross-functional team structures.

Why you will love it? 

At Plexus, we’re at our best when opportunities are met with passion, open communication, and teamwork. Our employees work alongside a global team of experts who engage in projects that span a variety of industries – helping our customers in creating the products that build a better world. 

At Plexus, you will find:

A workplace centered on collaboration and integrity

Supportive leadership teams that value work-life balance through a flexible work environment

An inclusive environment that values diverse backgrounds, experiences, and expertise

Flexible career paths across a variety of disciplines

Innovative design solutions and state-of-the-art technology that improves lives

Through our commitment to local community involvement we encourage our employees to participate in outreach activities with charities, local Schools, Universities, and Colleges and to promote careers in the STEM fields

Additionally, when you join, we want you to enjoy what you do and be rewarded for your contribution, so we have a range of attractive benefits on offer:

Bespoke development plan

Online learning and formal development programs

Full-time, permanent employment contract

Enhanced pension contributions

33 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) 

Paid family leave

Private medical insurance

Group income protection insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme 

Cycle to work scheme

Volunteer time off

Flexible Hybrid Working Available (role dependent)

Life assurance

Occupational health

Vision care discounts

Discount schemes 

Company sick pay scheme 

Onsite gym/ discounted gym 

Application Process

We don’t look for culture fit, but culture add. We value all the perspectives our team brings to the table, and we want to hear from YOU. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions, and will look at candidates holistically, balancing work, education and additional experiences.